| Best value is a performance framework introduced
by the Government in 1999. It requires local authorities to
deliver services to clear standards by the most economic, efficient
and effective means available. Authorities are expected to achieve
continuous improvement in all their services. The poorest performing
authorities are to reach the performance of the best within
five years.
There are two main parts to best value for local authorities:
Best value performance planning (BVPP) monitors and reports
performance against national and locally defined standards and
targets. It sets out future priorities and targets for improvement.
Fundamental best value reviews (BVRs) of all services must
identify what needs to be improved, and how to do it.
This report focuses on best value in the 410 councils in England
and Wales. It also looks at the role of other agencies and government
in helping and challenging councils to achieve best value. In
particular, it looks at the Commission’s involvement with
best value – the external auditors it appoints to review
and report on each authority’s BVPP and the Audit Commission
Inspection Service that examines their services and BVRs to
see how they measure up to requirements.
Councils have already invested significant resources in response
to best value. Nationally, £50 million is being invested
each year in an intensive programme of audit of BVPPs and inspection
of BVRs. Everyone involved in best value will be judged by whether
local services for local people improve year after year.
All councils published their second BVPP in 2001. Around 3,000
reviews have been completed and 600 inspection reports produced
(of which 300 have been published). This report evaluates what
progress has been made 18 months after the new regime took effect.
It draws together evidence from a wide range of sources, getting
below the headlines to see what is happening on the ground.
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